Taiwan and the US have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to continue bilateral scientific and technological cooperation on the Formosat-7/COSMIC-2 satellites, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said yesterday.
The de facto US embassy in Taiwan announced on Facebook that it signed a new MOU with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US this February to extend the program.
Since its launch in 2019, the program has “exemplified the close cooperation and strong partnership” between the two countries, and provided “a vital new data source contributing to space weather prediction and helping to mitigate risks to critical infrastructure globally,” the AIT said.
Photo courtesy of the American Institute in Taiwan
This extension of the program would mark “a new era of great cooperation between the United States and Taiwan,” it said. “The whole world will continue to benefit from the ongoing US-Taiwan scientific engagement.”
The National Space Organization (NSPO) has said that the Formosat-7 is a highly reliable constellation of weather observation satellites it established together with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a follow-up to the Formosat-3 program.
The US is responsible for satellite launches, payloads and the deployment of ground receiving stations around the world, while Taiwan is responsible for the design and integration of systems, the development of six spacecraft and conducting mission operations, the NSPO said.
The constellation was launched into space from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25, 2019, using a Space Exploration Technologies Falcon Heavy rocket.
This story has been corrected since it was first published.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
RSS